Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Rerating every Illini recruit from the 2010s

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks up a scuffle between Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
36 of 38
Next
MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 21: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the basketball up the court during the first half against Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 21, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 21: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the basketball up the court during the first half against Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 21, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

3. Kendrick Nunn (Old: 4-star/0.9781 – New: 4-star/0.9810)

There were so many “what ifs” during the John Groce era. One of the biggest “what ifs” has to be with Kendrick Nunn. He was such a good player who could have made a huge difference for this program.

Nunn was a 6-foot-3, 175-pound shooting guarding coming out of Simeon High School and residing in Chicago, Illinois. He was rated as a four-star recruit who was the No. 56 player in the class of 2013 and the No. 18 shooting guard in the nation. He also had a composite rating of 0.9781.

The class of 2013 was pretty special. Malcolm Hill was a member of this class, but the highest-rated recruit was Nunn. He was Illinois’ runner up prize since we couldn’t land Jabari Parker. That is okay, though. Nunn was talented.

Nunn’s first three years with Illinois were successful on the court. He ended averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. But he ended up getting into some trouble, which forced Illinois to kick him off the team.

The transfer portal was the next option for Nunn. He would transfer out of the Illinois program and end up playing for Oakland during his final season of eligibility. Nunn would flourish with the Golden Grizzlies. He played one season and averaged 25.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Nunn wouldn’t get drafted into the NBA, but he worked his way up through the G-League. He is now a full-time player with the Miami Heat.

I would say Nunn being a four-star recruit with a rating of 0.9781 isn’t too far off from what he should be. I see him as a four-star with a rating of 0.9810. This is a slight bump from what he was entering college. If he isn’t kicked off the team, Groce is probably Illinois’ coach today.

Home/Illinois Basketball